Bill Text: HI SB2994 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To The Department Of Land And Natural Resources.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-24 - Referred to AEN/WTL, WAM. [SB2994 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2994-Introduced.html
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2994 |
|
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the department of land and natural resources.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Mauna Kea conservation district is home to a number of rare, threatened, or endangered plants, animals, and arthropods found nowhere else on the planet. Among the species impacted are the remaining population of finch-billed Hawaiian honeycreepers, or palila.
The legislature
further finds that palila are a critically endangered species. Over ninety-six per cent of the entire palila population
lives within the palila critical habitat, which is located on the southwestern slope
of Mauna Kea at elevations between six thousand and ten thousand feet. The palila critical habitat also encompasses a
wide, intact section of mamane
forest, which serves as both a habitat and source of food.
Despite its critically endangered status, palila were once threatened by the emergence of sheep and goats in the palila critical habitat. In 1979, allegations against the department of land and natural resources surfaced, alleging that the department "took" palila to maintain sheep and goat populations. The presence of sheep and goat populations threatened mamane forests, endangering both the palila and its food source. Between 1979 and 1986, federal courts ordered the eradication of sheep and goats within the palila critical habitat, resulting in millions of dollars spent on fencing and the eradication of invasive species. While twenty-two thousand sheep have been eradicated, thousands of sheep remained in the palila critical habitat.
Following the eradication of sheep and goats in the palila critical habitat, the palila population continues to decline. Despite a full recovery of mamane forests, there are only one thousand mature adult palila left on Mauna Kea. Additionally, in 2021, Hawaii island suffered historic wildfires that encompassed over forty thousand acres, threatening the population of palila on Mauna Kea. The eradication of sheep on Mauna Kea has resulted in the build-up of grass and weed fire fuel, further endangering palila and its habitat, the fully recovered mamane forests.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to update key information, including facts and statistics, and investigate the causes relating to palila decline.
SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources shall update and make publicly available facts and statistics related to palila decline on Mauna Kea. Utilizing the data, the department of land and natural resources shall also conduct further investigation into palila decline. The investigation shall examine the results of the federal court mandate to eradicate sheep on Mauna Kea to protect palila populations.
SECTION 3. The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Palila; Mauna Kea; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Report
Description:
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to update facts and statistics on palila population decline on Mauna Kea and to investigate the results of the federal court mandate to eradicate sheep on Mauna Kea to protect palila populations. Requires a report to the Legislature.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
